by Altheria Gaston

In a more equitable world, 19 year-old Christian Taylor of Arlington, Texas would be preparing for his fall semester at Angelo State University. After spending the night in jail for [allegedly] breaking and entering and destruction of property/vandalism at a car dealership on August 7, 2015, his parents might have bailed him out and perhaps scolded him for his seemingly erratic actions. In a few years, after graduating from college, Christian might have looked back on this incident as a stupid episode performed by an immature, reckless teen. But this world is far from equitable, and instead of this hypothetical situation, Christian’s family gathered with hundreds of loved ones a couple days ago for his funeral.

by Anna Gibson

Nearly two weeks ago, 19-year-old Christian Taylor was shot during an altercation with police after allegedly crashing his car through the front window of a dealership in Texas. Since this tragic incident, numerous developments have occurred. The officer who shot Taylor has been fired, and edited video footage of the incident was released. The footage shows Taylor just moments before his death. While we can’t make assumptions about this case or his actions, various sources have noted a number of discrepancies in police accounts of his case.

by Kinsey Clarke


The past few months have been especially hard with the murders of Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, and Eric Garner, and the non-indictment of their murderers. As people around the nation and the world protest, our movement in knowing that #BlackLivesMatter and protesting police brutality grows stronger and more resolute every day. Often our conversations with others in person or on social media lead to heated debates about what should or should not be done in the wake of these events. However, here are a few of the things that should never be said in these interactions. Ever.

by Ariel C. Williams


In this gut-wrenching video, a tear drenched Lesley McSpadden, mother of slain Michael Brown, reminded African Americans of a truth we’ve grown to know: “They ain’t never gonna care.”

After hearing a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, McSpadden went to an equally confused and distraught crowd to voice her frustrations. “They want him back in Ferguson. I can’t get nobody back.”

by Piper Anderson


I’m sitting in the back of a police car on my way to Brooklyn Central Booking after spending a night in the 77th precinct in Crown Heights. Cop sitting on the front passenger side, barely turns to me as he sweetly chides, “You know what your problem is, Piper? You think too much.”

by Kioshana LaCount

The last time I went to visit my grandmother, she asked me when I was going to have children. Instinctively, I hesitated, before finally smiling and responding with a non-committal, “I’ll have some when I’m ready, Bigmama.”

by Krislyn Domingue

They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know that we were seeds. —Mexican Proverb

Michael, they’ve buried you, but they did not know you were a seed. And my brother you have sprouted. You were planted when life was taken from you; and the tears of your mother, your father, the tears of your sisters, your brothers, my tears have nurtured and cultivated them. Yes, my brother, you have sprouted.

Photo Credit: @FrenchieGlobal/Twitter

Like much of the world, I haven't been able to take my eyes off of the unrest that's happening in Ferguson, Missouri. Social media has, once again, proven it's effectiveness in quickly disseminating information and fact-checking mainstream sources for an event that the history books will not forgot. While you're trying to keep up with what's going on, be sure to follow these women who are doing extraordinary work telling stories and keeping those of us who cannot make it to Ferguson abreast of what's happening on the ground.

I am fearful. For the moment you are conceived, I can no longer protect you. For the moment your budding body begins to push against the confines of my belly, you are under attack. For the moment you come out kicking and screaming, drawing your first breath, you are at war. For no reason other than the greatest gift I can give you: my Blackness.